PhD Student (f/m/d) in Advanced Methods for Sustainability Assessment of PV Systems

Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH (HZB); Berlin; Vor Ort; EUR 40.000 - 55.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

A leading research institute in Berlin is seeking a PhD Student to contribute to innovative techniques in sustainability assessment for PV systems. You will engage with advanced methods and collaborate with esteemed research groups while enjoying a supportive and diversity-focused work environment. This is an exciting opportunity for someone with a strong academic background and programming skills to advance their career in a meaningful field.

Leistungen

Attractive remuneration according to collective agreement

30 days of holiday per year

Company pension plan and public transport subsidy

Flexible working time models

Career-enhancing networking opportunities

Support from the HZB Graduate Centre

Qualifikationen

• Master's degree in a relevant field required.
• Experience in (multi-) energy systems or LCA/TEA studies is a plus.
• Experience with programming, preferably in Python.

Aufgaben

• Develop methods for semi-automated generation of Life Cycle Inventory data.
• Create test cases for validating generated data.
• Conduct research and publish results in academic journals.

Kenntnisse

Programming in Python

Intercultural competence

Teamwork

Ausbildung

Master's degree in information systems, chemistry, physics, engineering, computer science, or mathematics

Jobbeschreibung

PhD Student (f/m/d) in Advanced Methods for Sustainability Assessment of PV Systems

Reference No.: SE 2025/16

At Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin, we research materials and processes for next-generation solar cells. To this end, we are developing technologies with the highest stable efficiency combined with cost-effective and resource-efficient production. One of the most promising candidates are monolithic perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells. With such a tandem cell, we have already achieved world record efficiency of over 30% in the laboratory. At the same time, we are developing scalable processes to produce industry-relevant tandem solar cells and modules with high efficiency and long-term stability, partly with industry participation.

PhD Student (f/m/d) in Advanced Methods for Sustainability Assessment of PV Systems

Reference No.: SE 2025/16

At Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin, we research materials and processes for next-generation solar cells. To this end, we are developing technologies with the highest stable efficiency combined with cost-effective and resource-efficient production. One of the most promising candidates are monolithic perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells. With such a tandem cell, we have already achieved world record efficiency of over 30% in the laboratory. At the same time, we are developing scalable processes to produce industry-relevant tandem solar cells and modules with high efficiency and long-term stability, partly with industry participation.
In the project DaTA, data for technology assessment, we collect information to enable researchers to assess the sustainability of future energy system integration. For the purpose of being a first user of the data bank under development and for intensifying our research on life cycle assessments (LCAs) and techno-economic assessments, we are looking for a doctoral student. You will be co-supervised by TU Munich and can look forward to enganging challenges in a rapidly evolving field, working in a state-of-the-art facility as part of a highly motivated team.Your position is embedded in theInnoPool project DaTA, in which you will collaborate with research groups of several Helmholtz centres.

Your Tasks

• Based on a techno-economic data base of PV technologies you develop methods for semi-automated generation of Life Cycle Inventory data, e.g. with machine learning.
• You develop test cases for validating the semi-automated generated data.
• You develop methods and tools for the validation of the models.
• The PhD thesis builds on an existing student work on techno-economic assessment of AgriPV. You systematically review the existing state-of-the art, develop research questions and conduct deep studies in consultation with your supervisors and collaborators.
• You evaluate others and your own studies and present results in project meetings.
• You publish results in oral and written form at conferences and in international peer-reviewed scientific journals.

Your Profile

• Master's degree in information systems, chemistry, physics, engineering, computer science, mathematics or a similar field
• Experience in (multi-) energy systems or LCA/TEA studies
• Experience with programming, preferably in Python
• High level of intercultural competence and ability to work as part of a team

Your Benefits at HZB

• Opportunity to contribute to the development of innovative materials and technological solutions for a climate-neutral future in cooperation with leading international researchers
• Commitment to diversity and sustainability through an inclusive working environment, promotion of diversity sensitivity and implementation of sustainable and climate-neutral methods
• Career-enhancing networking opportunities and individual mentoring and support from the HZB Graduate Centre and HZB Postdoc Office
• Attractive remuneration through payment according to Public Service Wage Agreement (TVöD Bund)
• 30 days holiday/year
• Extensive additional benefits, such as company pension plan (VBL), subsidy for public transport (Deutschlandticket Job) and company sports programmes
• Good work-life balance through counselling services on family and career and flexible working time models: Flexitime, part-time, hybrid working
• And a team that is looking forward to meeting you!

Fixed term contract for 48 months.The salary is based on the Collective Agreement for the German Public Service (TVöD-Bund).

How to apply

We look forward to receiving your application via our application management system by 20.07.2025. For reasons of data protection regulations,we are unfortunately unable to consider applications that reach us by any other means (such as email or mail) in the application process.

We very much want our workplace to be diverse, and welcome applications from people with different backgrounds.It is our mission to promote equal opportunities and to improve women’s representation in the workforce.We are therefore very interested in receiving applications from women.Where the qualifications are met, we will give preference to people with disabilities.

For German version, please click on the following link: German Version.

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Climate change poses serious challenges to the whole world.
At Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin, we are researching materials for a climate-neutral future.1400 employees from all over the world are working together at HZB towards this goal.Join us, and help us achieve it!
Learn more about HZB on our website .

CONTACT

Carolin Ulbrich